Bulk meltable solids transport system

ABSTRACT

Bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials which includes a reusable shipping container connectable to heat transfer fluid at the locus of utilization to provide a large volume reservoir of liquid material of predetermined viscosity and an associated pumping system providing a first flow circuit for closed circuit recirculation of said liquid and a second flow circuit for effecting liquid delivery upon demand therefor in a second recirculating system.

United States Patent 1191 Great et a1.

[ 1 Apr. 2, 1974 BULK MELTABLE SOLIDS TRANSPORT SYSTEM [76] Inventors: Roy Francis Groat, 2720 E. 40th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50317; Cliff Wayne Satre, 701 Shawnee, Des Moines, Iowa 50313 22 Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 321,741

3,286,791 11/1966 Cofer et a1 137/334 X 3,424,192 l/1969 Rayneri 137/340 3,481,350 12/1969 Chamberlain... 137/3 3,592,159 7/1971 Murphy 137/334 X 3,596,674 8/1971 Takizawa et al.... 137/334 3,638,673 2/1972 Stanciu 137/334 X 3,727,680 4/1973 Henry, Jr. 137/340 X Primary ExaminerSamue1 Scott Attorney, Agent, or FirmRobert E. lsner, Esq.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials which includes a reusable shipping container connectable to heat transfer fluid at the locus of utilization to provide a large volume reservoir of liquid material of predetermined viscosity and an associated pumping system providing a first flow circuit for closed circuit recirculation of said liquid and a second flow circuit for effecting liquid delivery upon demand therefor in a second recirculating system.

3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure BULK MELTABLE SOLIDS TRANSPORT SYSTEM This invention relates to an improved construction for a bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials such as inks, paraffins, waxed and waxlike materials.

Many manufacturing operations of diverse character require the utilization of large quantities of liquid materials that are economically deliverable only in solidified bulk form from locations remote from the locus of ultimate use and comsumption thereof. Such operations are normally attended by the utilization of costly disposable shipping containers, permanently installed heated holding and storage vessels at the locus of material usage and by undue amounts of material handling, all of which inherently adds to the expense of the operations required to produce the ultimate finished products resulting therefrom.

This invention may be briefly described as an improved bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials and which includes, in its broader aspects, utilization of a relatively large and reusable shipping container for transport of the meltable material in solidified condition, said container being integrally constituted for connection to high temperature heat transfer fluid as at the locus of utilization thereof for heating the contents thereof to provide a large volume reservoir of liquid material of predetermined viscosity positionable in gravity feeding relation with an adjacent and smaller sump tank adapted to provide constant quantity of deliverable liquid material of desired character for pumping purposes. A pump adapted to remove liquid material from the sump and to displace the same at a relatively constant volumetric rate is disposed intermediate the sump and associated conduit means selectively constituted to provide a first liquid material flow circuit connecting the output side of said pump with the shipping container for closed circuit recirculation of the liquid material and a second liquid material flow circuit connecting the output side of the pump with said sump via at least one tappable point of liquid material delivery for effecting a selective recirculation of deliverable liquid material in association with valve means for proportioning the volumetric rate of flow of such liquid material within said first and second flow circuits.

Among the advantages of the subject invention is the elimination of the need for costly disposable shipping containers and permanently installed heated holding and storage vessels at the locus of material utilization as well as permitting marked reductions in material handling time and easier maintenance of cleaner operating facilities at the locus of use thereof. Other advantages attendant practice of the subject invention are a high degree of flexibility in the handling of diverse materials and for the efficient and economic resupplying of bulk materials in accord with the rates of consumption thereof.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials.

Other objects and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from the following portions of this specification and from the appended drawing which illustrates, in accordance with themandate of the patent statutes, the essentials of a presently preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of this inven tion.

The drawing is a schematic side elevational view, partly in section, of a bulk transport and delivery system incorporating the principles of this invention.

The subject system includes utilization of a relatively large and reusable shipping container 10 of any desired configuration for the transport of meltable solid material from a remotely located point of supply thereof to a locus of utilization thereof in liquid form, as illustrated in the drawing. Such container 10 is desirably mounted on casters or rails 12 so as to space the underside thereof a predetermined distance above a support surface 14 to facilitate localized displacement and positioning thereof by a forklift truck or the like. In practice the container 10, may be desirably sized to contain from about 500 to 4,000 or more lbs. of the meltable solid material in accord with customer requirements and rate of consumption thereof at the locus of use and may suitably vary in height from about 36 up to 76 inches and in diameter'from about 24 up to 46 inches. As illustrated, the container '10 is provided with integral heat transfer means, as for example in the form of a double wall 16 adapted to have a high temperature heat transfer fluid circulated therethrough, via the integral taps 18 at the locus of use thereof. Installation of such container 10 at the locus of utilization thereof, as illustrated in the drawings, includes the coupling thereto of locally available high temperature heat transfer fluid, such as steam or hot water, through the tap connections 18. As will be apparent the circulation of such high temperature heat transfer fluid will result in a general elevation of the temperature of the container l0 and in liquification of its solidified contents and in a permitted maintenance thereof, through control of the temperature and rate of flow of the heat transfer fluid, within a predetermined desired temperature and viscosity range.

Disposed adjacent to the main shipping container 10 and adapted to be permanently installed at the locus of material utilization is a smaller sized tank or pump 20 fluidly connected in gravity feedable relation through a unidirectional flow line 22 with the main supply container 10. Such sump thus serves as a stationary and constant volume reservoir for the hereinafter described pump. The sump 20 is also desirably of double walled construction and is adapted to be similarly connected to suitable high temperature heat transfer fluid so as to maintain the temperature of the contents thereof within the predetermined desired range of temperature and viscosity.

The outlet port 24 of the sump 20 is directly connected to the input port 26 of a liquid pump 28 in association with an interrnediately disposed surge column or reservoir 30. The pump 28 may be of any desired character adapted to effect fluid discharge therefrom at relatively constant volumetric flow rates.

The output side 36 of the pump 28 is connected, through a suitable control valve 40 to a first conduit means 38 terminating within the shipping container 10 and which thus provides a first flow circuit for effecting closed circuit recirculation of the liquid material from the shipping container 10 to the sump tank 20, through the pump 28, and via conduit means 38 back into the shipping container 10.

The output side 36 of the pump 28 is also connected, through a suitable control valve 46, to means 48 terminating within the sump 20, and which includes a liquid material tapping conduit 50 for selectively effecting, by manipulation of valve 52, delivery of predetermined quantities of the material for utilization thereof in the associated manufacturing process. The second conduit means 48 thus defines a discrete flow circuit from the sump, through the pump and back to the sump via at least one tappable point of liquid material delivery for effecting a selective recirculation of deliverable liquid material.

As will now be apparent, the illustrated and described system includes two separate liquid material circulation circuits. The first of these circuits comprising a recirculation loop from the bulk container through the sump 20, pump 28 and back into the bulk containerr 10 and the second comprising a recirculation loop from he sump 20, through the pump 28 and past a point of delivery 50 en route back to the sump 20. The requisite constant volumetric flow rate characteristic of the pump 28, renders the two liquid material circulation circuits dependent upon each other, that is, that the volumetric rate of flow in one circuit or re-circulation loop plus that extant in the second circuit or re-circulation loop must equal the pumping rate. The relative magnitudes of the flow rates in each circuit can be regulated through manipulation of the valves 40 and 46.

Although not shown in the drawing, will be highly desirable, if not a necessity for certain materials, to have all of the material flow conduits, sump and pump with heat transfer jackets or other heating means so as to permit a maintenance of the flowing liquid material within the predetermined desired range of temperature and viscosity at all locations within the system.

In order to assure uniform temperature of the material contained within the shipping container 10 and composition uniformity thereof where melt and settling characteristics so require, the system optionally includes a removable auxiliary mixing and agitator assembly. Such assembly suitably consists of an elongate rotatable shaft 60 having a plurality of propeller elements 62 mounted thereon and adapted to be driven through a gear box 64 and auxiliary electric motor 66. As shown, the entire assembly is preferably mounted for removable insertion through an aperture 68 in the cover member 70 of the shipping container 10.

In the operation of the subject system, all of the illustrated component elements other than the shipping container 10 will be permanently located at the locus of utilization of the liquid material. A shipping container 10 of the type described and containing a predetermined solifified quantity of the material, will, subsequent to delivery from a remote source of supply thereof, be connected into the system through the inter-connection of the line 22 to the outlet port thereof and by connection of suitable heat transfer fluid means to the taps l8. Initiation of flow of the heat transfer fluid through the jacket 16 (and concurrently through the jackets on the remainder of the system components, will result in a gradual elevation of the temperature of the solidified contents thereof to melt the same and form a liquid volume of available liquid material of predetermined temperature and viscosity characteristics. After the contained liquid material has stabilized system flow thereof can be initiated via the line .22 and sump 20 through activation of the pump 28. Depending upon the demand for such liquid material in the associated fabrication processes, the volumetric flow rates within the first and second recirculation loops can be determined by the settings of the values 40 and 46. Renewed system operability can then continue in essentially unattended condition with no material change in either liquid material characteristics or in system component elements until all of the liquid material in a given shipping container 10 has been consumed. At such time, the emptied shipping container 10 can be disconnected from the delivery line 22 and heat transfer fluid supply lines and a full new container substituted in its place.

If overall plant operations require a change in the chemical character of the liquid material being handled, the system may be readily purged by draining the sump tank through its drain aperture 72 and suitable flushing of the system with solvent to minimize contamination of the new material to be introduced therein.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials of wax-like character comprising a relatively large reusable shipping container for transport for meltable material in solidified condition from a remote point of supply to a point of liquid material utilization thereof,

heat transfer means integral with said transport container and connectable to a heat transfer medium at the locus of material utilization for raising the temperature of and controlling the viscosity of the meltable contents thereof,

sump means connectable in liquid material communication with said shipping container at the locus of material utilization for gravity fed maintenance of a predetermined quantity of deliverable liquid material externally of said shipping container,

pump means adapted to remove liquid material from said sump means and displace the same at a relatively constant volumetric rate,

first conduit means connecting the outlet of said pump with said shipping container for effecting closed circuit recirculation of said liquid material,

second conduit means connecting the outlet of said pump with said sump means via at least one tappable point of liquid material delivery for effecting selectively deliverable recirculation of said liquid material, and

valve means for proportioning the volumetric rate of flow of said liquid material within said first and second conduit means.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 including heat transfer means associated with said sump and first and second conduit means for controlling the temperature of the liquid material flowing therewithin.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1 including liquid material agitating means removably mountable on said transport container for agitating the contents thereof at the locus of liquid material delivery. 

1. A bulk transport and delivery system for meltable solid materials of wax-like character comprising a relatively large reusable shipping container for transport for meltable material in solidified condition from a remote point of supply to a point of liquid material utilization thereof, heat transfer means integral with said transport container and connectable to a heat transfer medium at the locus of material utilization for raising the temperature of and controlling the viscosity of the meltable contents thereof, sump means connectable in liquid material communication with said shipping container at the locus of material utilization for gravity fed maintenance of a predetermined quantity of deliverable liquid material externally of said shipping container, pump means adapted to remove liquid material from said sump means and displace the same at a relatively constant volumetric rate, first conduit means connecting the outlet of said pump with said shipping container for effecting closed circuit recirculation of said liquid material, second conduit means connecting the outlet of said pump with said sump means via at least one tappable point of liquid material delivery for effecting selectively deliverable recirculation of said liquid material, and valve means for proportioning the volumetric rate of flow of said liquid material within said first and second conduit means.
 2. The system as set forth in claim 1 including heat transfer means associated with said sump and first and second conduit means for controlling the temperature of the liquid material flowing therewithin.
 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 including liquid material agitating means removably mountable on said transport container for agitating the contents thereof at the locus of liquid material delivery. 